“Broken Compass” was the name I was assigned on this hike, and I assure you, it was well-earned. From the get-go, attempting to find the trailhead is a feat for the directionally challenged (me, dear reader).  The car GPS didn't synch up properly to the location (reception is not-surprisingly spotty), so I found myself bumping up a sketchy, rutted dirt road on the wrong side of the street before finally finding the Fire Station.

Even then, the rocky, potholed road to the trailhead gave me pause – convinced that surely it shouldn't feel like the Indiana Jones Ride to get to the hiking portion. But a kind pair of gentlemen trundling up the road behind me in a larger SUV (good call, guys) assured me I was on the right path as I was starting to attempt to turn back in the best Austin-Powers-stuck-in-a-corridor maneuver.

This hike was beautiful. The trail is clear if overgrown by eager flora. I'd recommend long pants or you'll be feeling it all on your calves and thighs and stopping to tick check every five seconds. (I didn't see any.) The steady climb up is interrupted by the kind-to-the-glutes flats, which are covered in bleached tree carcasses from the fires — it looks like the antler shedding grounds from a mystical enormous species of elk.

With most of the trail signage burned down, make sure you've got your maps in physical form or downloaded. I went down a trail spur, second-guessed myself because I hadn't seen signage, and added an extra mile to my trip by the time the same kind pair of guys told me to turn back around, I HAD been on the right path. (This is when I got that new trail name…)

It's up up up to the Limber Pines camp (with a stream still running that is great to put weary feet in on the way down), then easier switchbacks to the incredible views up top. I lucked out and had no altitude trouble – this hike, though hard, is incredibly rewarding.  At the top of the trail there's a few feet of snow to satisfyingly crunch through before the peak.

The way down is “easy,” but it's good to remember your limbs are fatigued from the push to summit fast and you should make sure to build in breaks and take your time — I didn't and nearly rolled an ankle in my rush to try to make a dinner date waiting back in LA. All in, it took 8 hours.

Grateful to have tried this peak for the first time. I'd say I'll be back, but I can't guarantee I'll find it again, what with this Broken Compass and all… 😀